Beneath these very feet lies a story spanning over a century. This is the story of Kneseth Israel Congregation. Kneseth Israel was the first congregation established by the Jewish community of Annapolis. Over 90 years ago, a group of Jewish men decided to hold services in homes in Old Annapolis Towne.
The congregation’s history is rich. The first meeting place was a home on Duke of Gloucester Street. Services were held there for ten years. In 1906, a home at 142 Prince George Street was purchased. It was remodeled into a small chapel. In 1919, they purchased a chapel from St. Annes Church. This chapel served the community for 43 years.
Before World War II, the community needed more space. The building at 117 West Street was purchased. After renovation, it became the Jewish Community Center of Annapolis. In 1954, the synagogue merged with the Jewish Community Center.
In 1956, the site of the present synagogue was acquired. A new facility was needed to combine all services into one building. On January 20, 1963, the current building on Hilltop Lane and Spa Road was dedicated. The complex includes religious, educational, and social spaces. The sanctuary seats 408 people. A movable wall allows expansion to almost 800.
For over three decades, Rabbi Morris D. Rosenblatt and Cantor Rev. Henoch Hammer influenced the community. They had a warm relationship with the members. They loved Torah and devoted themselves to teaching Jewish children. Rabbi Rosenblatt came to Annapolis in 1945. He cared deeply about congregants. He was always there for everyone. He also served as chaplain for Jewish midshipmen at the Naval Academy. He advocated for civil rights and challenged a beach that forbade admission to Blacks and Jews. Rabbi Rosenblatt retired in 1984. Tragically, he was killed in 1985.
Cantor Henoch Hammer came to Annapolis in 1946 after surviving the Holocaust. For 33 years, he trained children for their Bar and Bat Mitzvah. He got the best out of every pupil. He was learned on Torah and Talmud. His love of Judaism was an inspiration.
The Rose and Bernard Legum Sanctuary has four stained glass windows. One window is dedicated to Rabbi Morris D. Rosenblatt. Another was donated by Jeffrey P. and Roberta Goldstein. A third honors Rev. Henoch and Helen Hammer. The fourth depicts the exodus from Egypt and was donated by Myron and Lenora Gordon. These windows add beauty to the services at Kneseth Israel Congregation.
Rabbi David Weiner has served Kneseth Israel since 2009. He appreciates how the people of this congregation bring Torah and Jewish traditions to life. The religious mission is to live up to its name. The Congregation strives to be a spiritual home for all Jews. Kneseth Israel welcomes Jews of all affiliations.
Kneseth Israel Congregation continues to serve as a center of worship and religious education. It fosters Judaism in homes and lives of its members. It continues the teachings of old in consonance with the needs of each new era. This is Kneseth Israel. A synagogue rooted in history and reaching for the future.